Tag Duels were vastly different from ordinary duels. Teammates shared Life Points, the field, and even the Graveyard. Furthermore, none of the four duelists could declare an attack before the conclusion of the first full turn cycle. This format demanded an exceptionally high level of coordination and deck synergy between partners.
For Jaden, while he was no stranger to Tag Duels, this was his first time fighting alongside Yubel. Jaden glanced sideways at Yubel, who silently met his gaze.
"I'll take the lead," Kaibaman announced, looking at his hand. "I summon The King of D. from my hand!"
The King of D....
The expressions of both Jaden and Yubel darkened instantly. Amidst a flicker of light, a man wearing a red cloak and a dragon mask appeared on Kaibaman's field, cradling a guitar shaped like a Blue-Eyes White Dragon.
[The King of D.]
[Level: 4]
[Spellcaster]
[ATK: 1200 / DEF: 1100]
"When this monster is successfully summoned, I can discard one Spell or Trap from my hand to add The Flute of Summoning Dragon, The Melody of Awakening Dragon, or Dragon Revival Rhapsody from my deck to my hand!"
Kaibaman shared a cold smirk with his clone. Discarding Monster Reborn to the Graveyard, Kaibaman pulled a card from his deck. "I add The Melody of Awakening Dragon to my hand. Next, I activate the Spell card The Melody of Awakening Dragon!"
Kaibaman's voice rang out, high and arrogant. "By discarding one card, I can add up to two Dragon-type monsters with 3000 or more ATK and 2500 or less DEF from my deck to my hand!"
After discarding another card, Kaibaman added two copies of Blue-Eyes White Dragon to his hand. "Then, I activate the effect of The Flute of Summoning Dragon!" He flipped the card in his hand and shouted,
"As long as Lord of D. is on the field, I can Special Summon two copies of Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my hand! While The King of D. is in the Monster Zone, its name is treated as Lord of D.! Come forth! My soul! My pride! Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"
A piercing dragon's roar echoed across the clearing as two magnificent, noble white figures descended from the sky. The two dragons towered over the field, letting out powerful roars.
"Eek!" The surrounding Duel Spirits were terrified by the overwhelming Draconic Pressure and scrambled for cover, peeking out tentatively to observe the battle.
[Blue-Eyes White Dragon]
[Level: 8]
[Dragon]
[ATK: 3000 / DEF: 2500]
"Amazing... he summoned two Blue-Eyes in a single turn." Hiding behind a group of spirits, Ash Blossom stared at the scene in shock. "It's my first time seeing them up close. They're so cool..."
"Wait, if both Kaibamans are technically the same person," she realized suddenly, "doesn't that mean their decks are essentially the same?"
That changed everything. It meant the two Kaibamans had near-perfect coordination and total deck compatibility. In contrast, even if Jaden and Yubel had worked together for a long time, they were still two distinct individuals. Could their teamwork possibly match the synergy of two identical beings?
With Kaibaman ending his turn, the initiative passed to Jaden and Yubel.
"My turn." Jaden exchanged a look with Yubel and stepped up to take the burden of the turn. "Blue-Eyes White Dragon, huh? In that case..." He looked at his hand. "I activate the Spell card E - Emergency Call."
Displaying the card, Jaden methodically chose a card from his deck. "With its effect, I can add one Elemental HERO monster to my hand. I choose Elemental HERO Shadow Mist. Next, I activate the effect of Vision HERO Faris!"
Jaden discarded Shadow Mist to the Graveyard and slammed Faris onto his duel disk. "By discarding one HERO monster, I can Special Summon this card from my hand!"
A pink, one-eyed HERO with massive claws appeared on Jaden's field.
[Vision HERO Faris]
[Level: 5]
[Warrior]
[ATK: 1600 / DEF: 1800]
"Furthermore, since Shadow Mist was sent to the Graveyard, its effect allows me to add a HERO monster from my deck to my hand. I choose Elemental HERO Liquid Soldier!"
"Hmph. Nonsense. No matter how many of these small fry monsters you gather, they are useless before the Blue-Eyes!" Kaibaman sneered, his voice dripping with disdain.
He really does have an insufferable personality, Jaden thought, his facial muscles twitching involuntarily. As a spirit born from Seto Kaiba's own will, Kaibaman had inherited nearly 100% of Kaiba's arrogance. Dueling this guy felt exactly like dueling the real Seto Kaiba.
"Don't underestimate heroes," Jaden said with a slight smile. "When Faris is summoned, I can place one Vision HERO monster from my deck into the Spell and Trap Zone as a Continuous Trap. While a single hero might not be strong, their ability to call upon their friends is second to none. I place Vision HERO Increase in my Spell and Trap Zone!"
"And at this moment, I activate the effect of Vision HERO Increase! By Tributing one HERO monster on the field, I can Special Summon this card!"
A purple and white HERO materialized, replacing Faris. He stood before Jaden with his hands on his hips, staring down the two dragons without a hint of fear.
[Vision HERO Increase]
[Level: 3]
[Warrior]
[ATK: 900 / DEF: 1100]
"Oh? Didn't you just get weaker?" Kaibaman curled his lip and laughed.
"Did I?" Jaden placed another card down. "When Vision HERO Increase is Special Summoned from the Spell and Trap Zone, I can Special Summon one Level 4 or lower Vision HERO from my deck. Come forth, Vision HERO Vyon!"
Light flashed as the purple, one-eyed mechanical hero appeared beside Vision HERO Increase.
[Vision HERO Vyon]
[Level: 4]
[ATK: 1000 / DEF: 1200]
"When Vision HERO Vyon is summoned, I can send one HERO monster from my deck to the Graveyard. I choose... Destiny HERO - Dasher!"
Jaden sent the card to the Graveyard.
"Huh? Destiny HERO - Dasher? Why didn't Jaden choose Destiny HERO - Malicious?" Ghost Belle cried out in confusion. According to the standard logic of a HERO deck, Vision HERO Vyon should be milling Destiny HERO - Malicious or Destiny HERO - Denier to extend the play. Was Jaden not going to continue building his board?
"This is a Tag Duel," Ghost Ogre explained, crossing her arms and nodding seriously. "Jaden isn't just thinking about himself; he has to consider his teammate, Yubel. Tag Duels aren't battles you can win easily on your own. Setting up a massive individual field isn't the priority anymore. Coordination is what matters most!"
"I see..." Ghost Belle whispered, blinking.
After sending Destiny HERO - Dasher to the Graveyard, Jaden continued, "Next, I use Vision HERO Vyon's second effect. By banishing Vision HERO Faris from my Graveyard, I add one Polymerization from my deck to my hand! Now, I activate the Spell card Polymerization! I fuse Vision HERO Increase on my field with Elemental HERO Liquid Soldier in my hand!"
Jaden raised his hands. "Go!"
Liquid Soldier's pale blue form merged with Vision HERO Increase. A red figure wearing a flowing blue cape emerged through the blinding light.
[Elemental HERO Sunrise]
[Level: 7]
[Warrior]
[ATK: 2500 / DEF: 1200]
"Finally, a monster that's at least worth looking at," Kaibaman said, crossing his arms and nodding slightly.
"He's more than just a looker," Jaden replied. "When Elemental HERO Liquid Soldier is used as Fusion Material, I can draw two cards and discard one. Furthermore, when Elemental HERO Sunrise is Special Summoned, I can add Miracle Fusion from my deck to my hand."
Jaden added the three cards to his hand and then discarded one to the Graveyard. "I set two cards and end my turn!"
Two face-down cards appeared behind Jaden as he concluded his turn.
[Kaibaman: 1P (Finished)]
[Jaden Yuki: 2P (Finished)]
[Kaibaman (Clone): 3P (Starting)]
[Yubel: 4P (Waiting)]
"It's up to you now," Jaden said, looking at Yubel.
"If Jaden says so, then it will be fine," Yubel said with a smirk, her eyes fixed on Jaden's face-down cards. "The real duel is only just beginning."
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